Grave marker



Aug. 218, 1945. G. Ki. GUENTHR' GRAVE MARKER *FiledI July 2, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Aug. 28,1945. Q K, GUENTHR, 2,383,787

GRAV E MARKER Fired Julybz, 1942 2 sheds-sheet 2 A gjfzenizer l l Patented Aug: 28, 1945 UNET@ STATS orifice 6 Claims'.

This invention relates to grave markers;

An object of this invention is to provide a marker in the form of a frame which is adapted to be anchored in the ground and a plate secured within the frame, the plate being provided with removable portions thereof so as to permit the formation of desired designs on the upper side of the plate in addition to providing openings for aerating the surface below the plate and to permit iiowers ortne like to the planted in the ground and to extend through the plate.

Another object of this invention is to provide a marker of this kind whichmay be constructed out of suitable material, such as plastic or the like which will retain its color and yconiiguration and which may be produced at a relatively small cost.

A further object of this invention is to provide in a device of this kind a rectangularframe structure with a body plate adapted to snap into the frame and the body plate being constructed with knockout plugs together with inlay sections which may be removed or positioned in desired locations on the surface of the plate to provide the desired design.

A further object of this invention is to provide in a device of this kind an improved vase or flower receptacle which is adapted to be suspended from the plate.

A further object of this invention is to provide a marker of this kind Whichalso includes means at one end thereof for supporting a head stone or the like. I

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved frame structure which is of resilient construction so as to permit the mounting of the body plate therein without the use of any tools orthe like. l

With the foregoing objects and others which may hereinafter appear, the invention consists of the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be more specifically referred to, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications may be resorted to which fall Within the scope of the invention as claimed. f

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a detail top plan partly broken awai7 and in section of a marker constructed according to an embodiment of this invention,

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 2 2 of Figure 1,

- Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 3 3 of Figure 1,

' Figure 4 is a fragmentary `sectional view through one corner of the device, taken on the line Il l of Figure 3, with the plate removed,

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on the lin 5 5 of Figure 3,

Figure 6 is a fragmentary sectional View taken on the line 6 6 of Figure 1,

Figure '7 is a fragmentary sectional view `taken on the line 'I 'I of Figure 1 with the plate removed,

Figure 8 is a perspective view of one of the removable blocks, and

Figure 9 is a perspective view of one of the inlay blocks adapted to be positioned in the bloc shown in Figure 8.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral Ill designates generally a frame structure which is formed of opposite longitudinal side members II and I2, and opposite end members I3 and It. In the presentinstance, the frame structure Ii) is of tubular construction which yis split longitudinally along the inner side thereof as shown in Figure 2. The adjacent ends of -the side member I I and the end member I3 are connected together bymeans 0f a corner connecting Imember I5.

The connecting member I5 is formed of a pair of right angular tubular members I6 and II which have secured to the lower portion thereof a connecting plate or web I8. The tubular section I6 has a plug i9 secured therein and extending from the adjacent end thereof for engagement in the adjacent end of the side frame member II. The block I9 may be frictionally or otherwise secured within the frame member II and is also adapted to be cemented or otherwise fixedly secured within the tubular member I6.

'The tubular member II has xedly secured therein a plug 20 which extends from the adjacent end ofthe tubular member I'I and frictionally engages in the adjacent endof the end member I3. The plug 20 is adapted to be cemented or otherwise secured to the tubular member Il and may also be cemented within the adjacent end of the tubular member I3. There are similar corner membersl I 5 on each of the four corners of the frame member I0.

The tube members II, I2, I3 and It are split longitudinally on their inner sides as shown at ZI in Figure 2. One edge 23 of each tubular member constitutes a seat for the body plate 2li land the other or upper edge of the split portion of each tubular frame member vis rounded or beveled off as at 25 so that the body plate -24 may be snapped into place and locked in position with the lower side of the plate 24 resting on the seat 23.

The side members Il are connected together between the ends thereof by means of a connecting or bracing bar 26. The bar 26 at the opposite ends thereof is rounded olf or cut away as at 21 forming a, reduced extension 28 engaging beneath the adjacent side member. The extension 28 may be secured to the lower side of a side member by means of a fastening member 29 or the like.

The plate 24, in the present instance, is constructed of two sections designated 39 and 3l. The section 30 is substantially longer than the section 3|, the latter section being the head section, and the inner ends of the two sections 30 and 3i abut against each other and rest on the upper side of the transverse bracing member 26. The plate 30 is formed with a solid marginal portion along at least three sides thereof, as shown in Figure 3, and inwardly from the solid portions- 32, 33 and 34, the plate 30 has the body portion thereof provided with knock-out blocks 36. The blocks 36 are adapted to be tied together by cement, friction or the like, so that selected ones of the blocks 36 may be knocked out in order to provide either openings through the plate 39 or to permit the positioning in a selected portion thereof of a design, such as is shown at 31.

This design is in the form of a cross but it will be understood that any other design may be formulated between the marginal portions of the plate 39. The design member 31 has a thickness equal to the thickness of the marginal portions of the plate 39 so that the upper side thereof willl -be'flush with the upper side of the plate 30. VThe blocks 36 are each formed with a recess or socket in which inlay members 38 are adapted to Abe positioned. These inlayvmembers may be of any' suitable color or design and are adapted to beremoved from the plate 30 independently of the plugs or` blocks 36. The inlay members 38 may be cemented at selected points about the marginal portions thereof to each other so that when the inlayV members 38 are in position a smooth dat top will be provided for the upper side of the plate 36.

The plate 3l is somewhat similar to the plate 36 being formed between the marginal edges thereof with removable blocks 39. The blocks 39 `may be cemented or secured together at selected points so that before the blocks 39 are removed, a solid plate will be provided. The blocks 39 are of a thickness equal to the thickness of the plate 3i. Each block 39 is formed with a recess or socket 40 in which inlay members 4 I vare adapted to be posi-l tioned. The inlay members 4i are similar to the inlay members 36 and may be of any suitable color, or if desired, may be formed with characters to provide a name and date at the head portion of the device.

Selected ones of the inlay members 4 l and selected ones of the blocks 39 may be removed so .that if desired a head stone or head member may be mounted on top of the group of inlay members 4I at the head of the device, and this head membermay be formed with lugs on the lower side thereof engageable in the openings formed by removal of certain ones of the inlay members 4l and the plugs 39. Preferably, the plugs 36 and 39 are each formed with similar shaped sockets so l that inlay members may be interchangeable.

The head member 3l is formed inwardly from the end I3 of the frame i6 and inwardly of the blocks 39 with pairs of removable rings 42 which may be removed in order to position a flowerpot or circular vase through the plate 3l. The rings 42 may also be provided withannular channels .43 in which inlay members 44 may be positioned.

The plate member 3| in the transverse center thereof is formed with an opening 45 through which a receptacle 46 is adapted to extend. The receptacle 46 is dependingly supported from the plate 3i, being provided at, its upper end with a marginal flange 41 seating in a channel 48 formed in the plate 3l. The receptacle 46 has a closed bottom wall 49 and is open at the top so that a base or water receptacle 50 may be dependingly and removably positioned in the receptacle 46. The vase 56 is formed of a bottom wall 5I and upstanding Walls 52. The Walls 52 are formed with a pair of inwardly projecting portions 53 which are oppositely disposed thereby forming a hand grip adjacent the upper portion of the receptacle 50.

A top plate 54 is secured to the upper end of the receptacle 56 and is provided with a pair of oppositely disposed openings 55 which communicate with the interior of the receptacle 50 so that when the receptacle 50 is lifted from the receptacle 46, water may be poured through a selected opening 55. An upwardly extending handle 56 is secured to the top wall 54 and extends across an annular opening 51 which is formed in the top wall 54. A removable ower supporting plate 58 is carried by the top wall 54, being concave on its upper side and formed with a marginal flange 59 seating in an .annular receptacle 69 which is formed in the Wall 54.

In order to provide a means whereby the frame structure may be anchored or fixed relative to the ground, the several frame members Il, l2, I3-and i4 have fixed to or formed integral with the lower side thereof a plurality of depending anchoring members 6I. The corner webs I8 may also be provided with openings 62 through which anchoring members 63 may extend so as to hold the corner members in position and to further anchor the frame structure relative to the ground.

In the use of this marker, the frame structure Hl may be assembled by connecting the corner members l5 to the sides and ends 0f the frame and then the two plates 39 and 3l may be inserted in position so that the lower sides thereof will rest on the seats 23. The particular design in the body of the plate 30 may be formulated by removingl selected ones of the inlay members 38 and if it is desired to insertL a solid design element, such as the cross 31, enough' of the-plugs 36 with the inlay members 38 may be removed to permit insertion of the cross 31. This' cross may then be cemented or otherwise xed within the body of the plate 30. The entire structure is mounted over the top of the. grave with the anchoring membersl and 63 projecting into the ground.

These anchoring members may be of any de` sired length so as to rmly anchor the structure on the top of the grave. This device may be constructed out of any suitable material, such as plastic, wood, metal or the like, and preferably out of a material which will not deteriorate under weather conditions.

What I claim is: Y

1. A grave marker comprising a resilient rectangular frame adapted to be' placed on the ground over a grave and formedjof tubular side and end members, right angular corner connecting members secured to adjacent ends of said side and end members and having openings through which anchoring members may extend so as'to hold the corner members in position and anchor the frame structure relative to the ground, said y side, end and connecting members being split and end members and having openings throughA which anchoring members may extend so as to hold the corner members in position and anchor the frame structure relative to the ground, said side, end and connecting members being split along their inner sides, an elongated transverse .bracing bar xed at the opposite ends thereof to said side members, a flat body forming a grave marker carried by said frame and engaging the split portions of said side and end members and means whereby the surface below the plate may be aerated.

3. A grave marker comprising a rectangular frame adapted to lie fiat upon the ground formed of longitudinally split tubular members, anchoring means carried by said frame, and a flat body secured to said frame within the split portion of said tubular members, said body including a l plate-like member formed with a solid marginal y portion, removable blocks xed within said marginal portion, an upwardly opening receptacle depending carried by said body, and a second receptacle removably engaging in said first recepr tacle.

4. A grave marker comprising a resilient frame consisting of separate side and end members split on the inner sides thereof, a plate adapted to be snapped into said frame and held therein, corner .pieces for connecting said side and end members,

having inwardly extending webs, apertures in said webs vfor receiving anchors for the double purpose of holding said frame rigid and for pinning said frame to the ground.

5. A grave marker adapted to lie iat upon the ground, comprising a resilient frame consisting of separate side and end members split on the inner sides thereof, a plate adapted to be snapped into `said frame and held therein, corner pieces for connecting said side and end members having inwardly extending webs, apertures in said Webs for receiving anchors for the double purpose of holding said frame rigid'and for pinning said frame to the ground, said plate. provided with a series of openings and removable blocks adapted to close certain of said openings.

6. A grave marker comprising a rectangular frame consisting of parts joined at the corners by connecting webs, said frame adapted to be placed on the ground, anchoring means carried by said frame, and a at body disposed within said frame,'

means whereby the surface below the plate may` be aerated. o

GERHARD K. GUENTI-IER. 

